What is Nano CBD?

When we hear the word nanotech, what is the first thing that comes to mind? For me it's some fantasy video game for the playstation console back in my teenage years. However, the term is becoming more and more common colloquially. 

What exactly does nanotechnology mean? 

Nanotechnology is science, engineering, and technology that is conducted at the nanoscale which is about 1 to 100 nanometers. That's really miniature science for that unfamiliar with the measurement. Lot's of developments in biophysics are happening at the moment where those lab coat wearing wizards are able to manipulate parts of the human cell like tiny garage door openers. It's on that scale that we are dealing with nano-units. 

Nano-infused CBD

Nanotechnology allows compounds like CBD to be safely broken down into smaller particles that provide higher bioavailability and therapeutic effects. This is a bang-for-your-buck kind of technology. Nano-emulsified CBD rapidly absorbs up to 80-90% of every dose into the bloodstream compared to less than 50% with other CBD products in the market. It's thought of in a similar fashion as vitamins. Some medical professionals think that most of the beneficial compounds of your favorite nutritional supplements are leaving through the urine and not being made bioavailable. 

Why Nano Infused Over Regular CBD? The answer seems fairly clear now. Still is it wise to believe all the hype?

The Science Behind the Faster Absorption

The possible benefits:

• Greater bioavailability
• Use less of a given product for an even better result
• CBD crosses the blood/brain barriers more efficiently

Regular CBD can be difficult to handle being sticky, not water soluble, and is 2000 nm (nanometers). This results in low bioavailability in the body which means you need to consume more of the product to get the results you want.

Human cells can only absorb particles that are around 60-80 nm. The new Nano CBD molecules are 100 times smaller, at 16 nm, eliminating waste since you’ll only need smaller doses and the body absorbs more of it. That seems like a plausible hypothesis, right?

What The Science Says So Far

Oral administration using cannabis extract-infused food (edibles) or beverages is potentially one of the most convenient routes because it does not require special equipment and is appropriate for most patients. 

There are, however, several important challenges. 

As stated earlier, concentrates can be sticky, viscous and hydrophobic substances, which are difficult to handle and incompatible with water. Even when combining with coffee, it's kind of sad to see that last bit of CBD oil sitting on the edges of the mug. 

When consumed as edibles, they act through gastrointestinal absorption and exhibit the delayed onset of action.  

Formulating "medicated" beverages has also been challenging due to cannabis extracts' poor solubility in water, which severely limits the deliverable doses. In addition, poor water solubility results in low bioavailability: only a small fraction of orally administered cannabinoids is absorbed, requiring patients to consume a lot more than would otherwise be necessary.

Luckily, the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries have a well-established solution for overcoming these challenges: the delivery of a water-insoluble drug can be tremendously improved by formulating it as a nanoemulsion.

This technology is becoming more and more popular among the larger CBD giants, however, the jury is still out on the clinical trials. 

Hopefully, this has been an interesting read for your Saturday morning. We are always looking out for new trends and technology in the CBD industry, so help keep us informed in the comments. And please give us a share!